Monday, December 10, 2012

Put on your yarmulke...

It's time for Chanukah. It's not pronounced CHA-nukah, the C is silent in Chanukah! Oh, Adam Sandler, if only your movies were as smart and funny as your Chanukah songs that we wait all year to hear!

The Festival of Lights is upon us, as Saturday marked the first night of Chanukah, so pull up a chair and prepare yourselves for a little info on the story of Chanukah and the traditions we keep. What i'm always asked is "How do you spell Chanukah?" or why do i spell it that way instead of Hanukkah. It's just preference, and i'm just partial to the Ch and one k. In a completely rational way, the other one seems harsher, all liney and everything, not like the nice hug of Ch. They mean the same things and there is no right way or wrong way.

Menorahs are like the centerpiece of all Chanukah celebrations, as we light one candle per night for 8 nights, signifying the miracle of the oil lamp burning for 8 days when it seemed there wasn't enough for even one night. This guy in the middle, called the shamas, is used to light the other candles. He sits higher than the others, and sometimes far apart. He's like the king candle. Or perhaps President Candle, since we're in a democracy and all that. Let's note that there are like 3 ways to spell shamas, too.

You see that my menorah is made of pretty flowers. Menorahs don't need to be all serious and religious, and candles need not only be in the colors of Israel-and therefore Chanukah-in blue and white. Candles are lit right to left, like the Hebrew alphabet is read. So the second night's candle will go in the yellow flower on the right, and will be lit along with the shamas and the first night's candle.

As we light each candle, we sing the prayers and thank God for latkes. Ok, not really. Shout out to new blog friend Doreen for the idea of displaying the candles.

After holiday sales at Bed Bath and Beyond yielded both the placemats and the napkins. They're one of the few places to actually have decor items pertaining to Chanukah. Some stores either have no Chanukah section (Kirklands! For shame!) or they think a bag of blue and white bows and paper goods somehow qualifies. Because, you know, i see you all decorating for Christmas with disposable plates and napkins, right? Wouldn't be very good for a mantel.

It's hard to tell, but the placemats have a silvery shimmer to them, like the napkins. You'll notice the same letters appear on the dreidels below.

Playing dreidel is pretty much gambling. As an adult, i'm wondering why we encourage this, but who am i to question years of tradition. That guy facing up means i'd have to give half my stash (money, chocolates) to the pot. I'm super cheap and a little selfish, so we rarely played that way.

My brother and i always liked to see how many we could get spinning at once. I think the record might be a whopping three. This is especially difficult with cats.

Also difficult with cats is doing anything for the blog without them interrupting. Silly Lily. This is why i choose my cats to match my decor. Kidding.

On the last night, next Saturday, this is what your menorah will look like. Remember, you will be lighting the guy in the middle (head honcho) and you will use him to light the rest, starting at the right. As far as the 8 gifts go, as children we would get little things, like movie tickets, or even just chocolates after lighting the candles. As adults, my mom and i have a tradition of the theatre subscription that allows us to meet in Phildelphia for lunch and a show, and enjoy Chanukah/birthday presents all year long.

Me to Lily: Get away, this isn't a toy.

Me to Lily: Well crap, technically it is a toy.

Me to Lily: But it isn't your toy.

Me to Lily: And it is most certainly NOT food.

Don't worry, no animals were harmed in the creating of this post. I actually couldn't believe Sunday stayed off the table.

29 comments:

I was having so much fun reading your post when all of a sudden I read my name with a link! Woo-oo! Thanks for the shout out.

Your table is beautifully decorated, and I totally agree that it shouldn't be this difficult to find nice Chanukah decor. Well, at least we're not stuck with just blue & white anymore! Happy Chanukah to everyone at Cape on the Corner!

I would love to join you for Chanukah! I love the traditions and learning more about your faith! That Lily is cute for sure! Love that you got placemats and napkins (which are gorgeous by the way). Enjoy your 8 days! Hugs, Linda

OMG!...that special guest AT YOUR TABLE is adorable, lol..Beautiful tablescape with those pretty napkins and lovely dishes. Thank you for viting me and I'm so glad you liked my Chanuka table in your honor. Happy Chanuka to you and yours.FABBY

Happy Chanukah! I love your flower Menorah and the pictures of Lily playing with the dreidels, surely she will get a treat for highlighting them so well. I have had, and still have many friends who celebrate this beautiful holiday and I so enjoyed reading how you do it in your house and with your family. Your table is just beautiful and I hope you will next tell about the latkes and how they are made and why they are important. Oh, and I've seen a lot of Chanukah decor at Home Goods! Ann

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You are rightly mantle does look like it could be for Chanukah! maybe next hear we will celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah. More opportunities to decorate!Your table looks very pretty.

What a beautiful post. I so enjoyed learning more about Chanukah (and I didn't realize you could spell it that way). What beautiful traditions are involved. Your menorah is really beautiful. And, I adored seeing Lily and hearing the conversations you have with her :)

Being christian and having studied the Old Testament, I have always been highly interested in Jewish tradition. Your post is great in helping me understand the tradition of your celebration. I love your menorah not anything I have seen before. Thanks for sharing your holiday.

Thank you so much for explaining your family's tradition and religion. I don't think I have any other friends who are Jewish.....(remember me, Methodist in the land of Catholics). The older I get, the more interested I am in different religions. The kitties added a very nice touch.

You are so funny! I have several Jewish friends and have been to Hannukah celebrations. I happen to love latkes! And I just adore your theatre subscription tradition with your mom. What a fantastic idea! This comment is a little late to wish you a happy holiday, but Happy New Year!